Photovoltaic reinforced plate working principle diagram

What is the working principle of solar cells?

All the aspects presented in this chapter will be discussed in greater detail in the following chapters. The working principle of solar cells is based on the photovoltaic effect, i.e. the generation of a potential difference at the junction of two different materials in response to electromag-netic radiation.

Are photovoltaic cells used for power over fiber (POF)?

While most photovoltaic cells are used for solar power generation, some are used for Power over Fiber (PoF), i.e. to deliver power in the form of light through an optical fiber (typically a multimode fiber). The requirements for the cell are very different from those for solar power generation:

What are the performance parameters of a photovoltaic cell?

The following are the most important performance parameters of a photovoltaic cell: The open-circuit voltage for a given material system and standard illumination conditions (see below) can be an indication of cell quality.

What are the basic processes behind the photovoltaic effect?

The basic processes behind the photovoltaic effect are: collection of the photo-generated charge carriers at the terminals of the junction. In general, a solar cell structure consists of an absorber layer, in which the photons of an incident radiation are efficiently absorbed resulting in a creation of electron-hole pairs.

How do photovoltaic cells work?

Photovoltaic cells generate a voltage between their front and back sides. Both sides must be electrically contacted. At least for the front side (and for bifacial cells, the back side as well), this must be done in such a way that the light input is reduced as little as possible.

Can organic PV cells be used in building materials?

An interesting aspect is that thin, lightweight and flexible organic PV cells can be made, which can be integrated into building materials, for example. Such cells can also be semi-transparent (e.g. for shaded windows) and colored. Several such technologies have been developed and are briefly described below.